TRIGGER: CH 8

Chapter 8

Monday morning.

 

Stepping into the office, he is immediately greeted by the sight of files upon files piling on the table of the meeting room. They're all stuffs pertaining to previous cases, collected and compiled over time starting from the first case over half a year ago. The amount of data they'd have to go through is rather..daunting.

"Mornin', things already looking quite intense this early in the day." Even as he speak, Takeru is still carrying some more stuffs over.

"Those are..?"

"Pictures and full autopsy reports for the previous cases. Hup-! And done." With a heave, he dropped the last of it on the table. Slapping his hand on top of the pile with a sigh, "Looks like it gonna take a long time to get through this."

Ryuga can just nod along to that statement. It sure does looks like it. Tedious work, but still needs to be done. They were just about halfway through the first case when Rian and Aguri came in. After a short round of greeting and 'welcome back's (and Ryuga asking for Aguri's forgiveness), everyone begin working away at the pile, picking out important points and mapping up strategies.

 

.

 

Finishing last words on the whiteboard, Rian turns around to face the table. She taps on the whiteboard with the pen to attract their attention.

"After going through all currently available information, we now have a working plan to approach the case. Seeing as the suspect's movement is hard to trace, this may or may not work to our favor. Nevertheless, giving up is not an option. So for a rundown, first we have narrowed down the potential areas for his next 'hunt'. Now, to identify the suspect. By taking his habits into consideration we'll approach him accordingly. He ought to know that he's currently a wanted man, we need to be careful so this part might take some time."

"As I have been told, there was an idea to reel him in with designated 'bait'. While it is quite dangerous, I thought it might just work. Only, we appoint someone among us as the bait. Naturally, the person would have to be in a disguise and put up a convincing act." Aguri adds in from the side, continuing the train of sentences. "And after much consideration, the role will be taken by Ryuga."

"Eh, me?" He looks at the other in confusion.

"A plan to bait him, eh? But, isn't Rian's the pro when it comes to disguise?"

"His staple diet, in other words his targets is men. No matter how good she is, this time it'll be quite impossible for her to keep her disguise in this case."

"Hence, why you have to be the bait for this operation, Ryuga." Rian's hand falls on his shoulder, emphasizing her point.

"O-kay..but how are we going to do it? You know I'm not that good at this kind of thing."

"You don't have to worry about that. Commands will come from Rian and me. You just have to move according to our instructions."

"With that part cleared, let's get started. First we need to get your costume ready. Come, follow me." Without further due, she pulls Ryuga up to his feet and drags him away.

"Ah, wait!-"

Having been left alone, Aguri turns toward Takeru, imploring him for his thoughts. "Do you have anything you'd like to comment on?"

"Nah, I'll leave the planning to you. Just-"

"Just..?"

"-Ya know, what the killer’s kink seems to be. Ryuga, in that outfit..that'll be quite dangerous."

*sigh* "..Don't you ever think of anything else."

 

 

 

---

 

 

By the time he got home his energy level is down to just about 30%. The combined effect of working on the case files and being practically dragged around the place by Rian is really tough. Wonder how she still have so much energy left. The impromptu shopping date for his costume was enlightening at the very least.

 

.

 

 

The purpose of the trip had been accomplished, however there’s no sign of Rian slowing down. Ryuga had since been lost within all these laces and frills around him. How do anyone even put this on? So a line of thought crosses his mind over a particularly complicated looking set. He was still pondering over it when Rian calls for him from somewhere ahead.

 

 

"Hey, Rian. Is this really needed?"

"Why yes, of course."

"..For what, exactly?

"Hm, for whatever needs you have. Who knows, maybe you have a secret lover somewhere.."

Ryuga almost, almost tripped on his own feet.

"Eeh, I don't have any."

Rian turned around to face him with a worried expression. "..Should I set you up on a blind date?"

"..No, thank you."

Just a feeling that he might see a certain someone if he go on one.

 

The shop attendant's face when Rian told her all of that stuff is for him instead.., he has never seen anyone turns that red. She honestly looks like she's going to pass out. Poor girl. Rian sure looks rather smug though.

 

.

 

 

He went in without switching the lights on, choosing to roam in the dimly lit room. It's nightfall by then, streetlights stream into the room through the partially uncovered window. Sitting down on the edge of his bed letting the tiredness seeps in. Tiring, indeed, but it was fun. It had always been fun going around with Rian. Reminds him of those days when they were younger. She'd take him to places with the excuse of having him help her work. Back then when he's still unfriendly, prefers to be alone, and a bit afraid of letting anyone in.

Shaking his head fondly at the memory, meeting them really changed him for the better.

Light reflecting of an object glinting at the corner of his eyes. Turning sideway, he catches sight of a USB drive left on the side table. From him.

 

 

---

 

 

Like a storm, eventually it passes. The silence that hangs in between them right now feels very much like the calmness after a heavy rain.

Their prior activities left Ryuga exhausted, having spent up all of his energy trying to keep up with whatever Jinga is doing to him. Though, maybe his mental is more affected than he think as the realisation slowly sinks in. He did that. He, a cop, slept with likely the most dangerous and influential mafia lord of the country. For what?

Information, apparently. His mind added. Can't help feeling like he's being used. Maybe he is. He's struggling to come to term with what they just did. It's not that he didn't see it coming; it's more like being swept away by a tornado. Seeing it coming does nothing. Not to mention that Jinga is...relentless. He's not sure if he could survive any more than that.

"You're rather quiet." Came the voice beside him, distracting him from his current train of thought.

"..Thanks to you." Snide clear in his reply, though he couldn't help but notice the hoarseness of his voice.

"Well, you didn't seem to oppose it. Not from the sounds you were making then."

His face burns from the remark. How shameful. He couldn't fight it. Having his body explored in ways it never had made his mind fuzzy from stimulation. He's never one to let his guard down around strangers, much less dangerous ones. Whatever Jinga did to him made him docile, allow himself to be taken in such a way. What scares him most is how a part of him seems to like it.

He shot up from the bed as if it burns him, wincing when the abrupt movement causes his lower back to flare up in pain.

"Shouldn't have done that."

"Shut up." He gingerly moved himself to the edge of the bed, slowly swinging his legs over.

"Going already?"

"There's no use staying any longer."

Chuckles can be heard from the other. "No need to be so shy."

Sighing, he can feel the growing annoyance but he's already too tired to deal with it. Carefully he stands up. The pain is there but moving slowly at least makes it easier. He can feel eyes following his every movement as he get dressed. Opting to leave his shirt untucked, he made a beeline towards the door. He needs to get out of here, fast.

"Wait." His hand stilled on the doorknob.

"You forgot something."

"What-" he turned around just in time to catch something flying to his head.

"This is..?"

"Your 'reward', as per the agreement."

"Reward?" The absurdity of it all. So he really is-

"It contains surveillance data from the cameras set around an abandoned housing complex northwest of the city. You should find something interesting in there."

He only replied with a silent look before exiting. He didn't get past a few steps beyond the double doors before he was whisked away by the black-suited men, and the next thing he knows is he's already home. No, not at his doorstep - but inside his room. They do not only know where he lives; apparently they also know how to break in.

 

 

"..Shit."